The HfP chat thread – Thursday 5th November

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Boon says:

5 Nov5 November 22:54

Rebooking cancelled Avios flights – can anyone help?

Outbound flight LHR to MLE got cancelled. This was a 241 voucher Avios redemption booking.

Tried to select new dates in the online rebooking tool, but it keeps telling me there is no availability. I looked at the normal cash booking engine, and there are seats available for cash. Tried multiple dates, no luck.
Also tried dates with Avios availability (to see if its just a cash vs Avios availability thing) but also keep getting the same message.

Anyone know if this is a bug or something I need to do different?

Don’t want to have to call the BA line and be on hold for ages if I can get this rebooking done online.
- Lady London says:
  
  5 Nov5 November 23:37
  
  If BA cancelled your flight then legally you have the right to choose another date that suits you to travel. Your choice, not the airline’s. No difference if your original booking was cash or avios, peak or offpeak, 2nd seat obtained on a 241 etc. your right, your choice of date. Also does not matter if you paid 50% avios btw, you pay no more.
  
  This under EC261 which covers flights on Europe/UK based airlines, also any flight on a non-European airline departing Europe.
  
  Best to search as though you were buying a new ticket then it will show you all seats and flight. Then call and say what you want. If phones busy then from 0800/0830 or 1900 on people found easier to get through in the past.
  
  If no flights whatsoever showing on dates convenient to you then route is cancelled and stickier. BA will love to give you a refund if they cancelled your route however you do have the right to travel on another airline if BA not flying reasonably close to your convenient dates or at all. EC261 rerouting covers this. Best to find a selection of flights, rank them in order of your preference, and request this under EC261 due to their cancellation.
  
  You can agree with airline to use alternative airports instead if *you* wish.
  
  Currently reports are that BA is illegally refusing to provide ticketing people are entitled to on other airlines as a matter of course and systematic mistraining of agents. Several HfP posters have mentioned they had to buy their own tickets BA should have provided them. They either got their money back from card by either chargeback or Section 75. Some who did want or need rerouting (and not refund) have lodged claims in small claims court via moneyclaimonline dot gov dot uk after they had to buy alternate tickets. Some got alternate ticket paid by their credit card co under Section 75 ( particularly useful if ticket now costs much more than you paid).
  
  So work out what you want and ask the airline who cancelled your flight for it and if you dont want a refund, make sure you dont take one as that absolves the airline of all further liability for the other things you are entitled to.
  
  PS if the airline offers a replacement flight but on a different day or with a long wait after the timing of your original flight then the airline is responsible for your hotel costs and meals until your new flight plus transport to and the hotel
  - Lady London says:
    
    5 Nov5 November 23:40
    
    You have to call for all of the above not possible online if no avios seats to move to etc.
    - Lady London says:
      
      5 Nov5 November 23:44
      
      so if you see a cash seat available in same class Y/PE/J/F and they cancelled your flight you had booked on avios, no the airline cant deny it to you. Just call.